SCORES of RAF veterans and relatives of fallen heroes have rallied together to help restore Britain’s vandalised Bomber Command memorial.

As the hunt for the sick thug who daubed the monument with the word “Islam” continued, curators of the £7.5million Portland stone edifice said they had been “deeply touched” by the public response.

The RAF Benevolent Fund, the organisation charged with the upkeep of the memorial, are hopeful experts can remove all traces of the red spray paint used during the attack in the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday morning.

But restoring the stone to perfect condition could end up costing upwards of £10,000.

Demonstrating true British spirit, appalled family members of those who served with Bomber Command have been in touch to offer their support and modest donations.

Anthony Ely-Johnston read about the shocking graffiti attack the day he returned from a pilgrimage to Belgrade to visit the grave of his Spitfire pilot uncle Michael, who was shot down in 1945.

CCTV footage of the alleged vandal who defaced the monument (RAFClub)

All these young men died so that we could enjoy our today

Anthony Ely-Johnston

Mr Johnson’s father Anthony was shot down in 1942 in a Manchester bomber with 61st Squadron Bomber Command. He was just 21.

Mr Ely-Johnston, of Cambs., said: “All these young men died so that we could enjoy our today. For decades we haven’t had a memorial to the boys of Bomber Command, so for someone to do this in an instant...it’s just unspeakable.

“We have always shown respect for our dead in this country. I felt sick when I read about what had happened. You wouldn’t be able to print what I would do if I got my hands on the person responsible.”

It commemorates the memory of the 55,573 young men who selflessly gave their lives to protect the freedoms we value so dearly today and was unveiled by the Queen in June last year.

Jon Heard, of the RAF Benevolent Fund, said: “We have been deeply touched by the response from the public. There is a real sense of outrage over what happened, but the warmth and support that has reached us will far outlast the stain on the memorial.”

Shockingly, the nearby Animals at War monument was targeted by vandals in exactly the same way.

Westminster City Council, which is responsible for the upkeep of that monument, in Park Lane, last night said it would pursue the vandal through the courts to recover cleaning costs, estimated at £7,500.

The council’s director for built environment, Rosemarie MacQueen, said: “The memorial is being cleaned but it is a big job and could take a few days as we have to be careful to preserve the stone – it is akin to cleaning a piece of art rather than just a high-pressure hose job.”

Anyone wanting to donate towards the cost of repairs can do so by visiting www.rafbf.org